10 pantry staples for healthy meals

I have a pantry stocking problem. Really, it’s like a sickness and I’m pretty sure it’s genetic because I guarantee you I could find cans and boxes of food items that have a “best by” date of at least 5 years ago in my mom’s house. I swear, we’re not the people you see on hoarders, we just like a well stocked pantry! There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of cooking a meal only to realize you ran out of a basic thing like canned tomatoes. Ulysses operates the exact opposite of this however, which has made for a *fun* 7.5 years of living together when I’m constantly trying to justify the need for 6 different cans of beans at all times as the flimsy wire shelves in our pantry bow under the weight. But seriously, a well stocked pantry is key to not only quick & easy meals, but healthy ones too. The first thing I did when I was actively trying to lose weight was throw out all the processed crap and re-stock my pantry & cabinets with basics to create healthy meals. Today, I’m sharing what I think are the 10 pantry staples for healthy meals and recipes to go along with them!

Extra virgin olive oil

I love this stuff. Maybe it’s the Italian in me, but this is my cooking oil of choice 90% of the time. Coconut oil takes up another 9% and a variety of others make an occasional appearance for that last 1%. It’s delicious enough to use on salads and eat straight up and it’s versatile enough to hold up well in stove top cooking. The “extra virgin” means it’s the least processed of any types of oil and therefore has more monounsaturated fats than other olive oils which may have benefits for your heart.

Quinoa

Quinoa is like the grain that’s too good to be true. And that’s probably because it’s not really a grain, it’s a seed. But hey, it cooks like a grain, tastes like a grain…so yeah, in my mind it’s a grain. The one big difference with quinoa is that it’s a complete protein. No other grain can boast that on it’s resume. It’s also packed with calcium, iron and fiber. It’s a great way to “healthify” a dish traditionally made with rice or pasta.

Eggs

The incredible edible…Not really a pantry item because unless you’re getting super farm fresh ones (and if you are, I’m jealous), I’m betting these reside in your refrigerator, but a necessity to have on hand for healthy meals. Eggs are a great backup protein source. On nights when I haven’t (or forgot) to defrost any other protein, they become my go-to.

Canned tomatoes

Let’s be real, tomatoes in the winter are gross. But chili, soups and pastas are perfect comforting winter meals, no? Canned tomatoes to the rescue! At any point in time I’ll have diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, whole peeled tomatoes and crushed tomatoes in my pantry. No need for jarred tomato sauce when you have canned tomatoes on hand either. A simple onion, garlic and seasonings sauté with some canned tomatoes will get you a sauce in no time!

Nuts (and nut butter)

Nuts and nut butters are great for snacking, we already know that. But they also make a great addition to a meal. Use them in pesto, as a crust for fish or meat or even just a topping on salads or pastas for some extra protein and omega-3s.

Canned tuna/salmon

Convenient, inexpensive, high in protein, vitamin D and omega-3s. Need I say more? If you’re freaked out by fish in a can (I used to be), get over it. Seriously. I buy the cans packed in water and use it for lunch time salads or sandwiches. Sometimes I’ll even add it to whole wheat pasta for dinner. Trader Joe’s wild salmon is my favorite.

Lentils

I used to think lentils were complicated. I vividly remember being at a friend’s house as a kid and there being lentil soup on the stove-top for hours on end so I thought they were an “all-day” kind of thing. Um, they’re not. Unlike dried beans (which we’ll get to) there’s no soaking involved and they cook in pretty much the same time that rice would. They’re a great base for soups or a big warm salad.

Soba noodles

I could put all whole wheat pastas on here, but soba noodles are really my favorite. They’re made with buckwheat (full of antioxidants and all 8 essential amino acids) and they cook in about 3 minutes. Healthy and quick, what’s not to love?!

Oats

Primarily used for healthy breakfasts and snacks, rolled oats (or steel cut) are full of fiber, help manage cholesterol and keep you nice and full for a bit. My favorite thing outside of a bowl of oatmeal is to use them in snack balls.

Beans

Dried beans are definitely the more affordable option here but honestly, I’ve never bought them. I don’t have time or patience for soaking. Canned beans can be just as good. Opt for the low sodium ones and make sure you thoroughly rinse them before using. They’re an excellent (and cheap!) way to add some protein to a meal. Use black beans in salads and soup, cannelini for making dips and spreads, chick peas (garbanzo) for whipping up your favorite hummus and red beans for a big batch of hearty chili.

Everything but the canned tuna/salmon I have in my pantry at all times. I used to get dirty looks from food snobs who turned their nose up to having canned tomatoes and beans in the pantry. But honestly? Waiting for beans to soak? Blanching tomatoes and then pureeing? Ain’t nobody got time for that! I love the point you make about lentils cooking up in the time to make rice. I have a pressure cooker (which my parents got me so i can make lots of dal, sambar and other yummy Indian goodies), but I hate waiting for lentils to cook in there. I actually use my rice cooker to cook quinoa and lentils! Much easier to do and works just as well :)

This is a great guide. I have all of these things in my pantry as well (except instead of soba noodles I have brown rice spaghetti).

My hoarding problem is with quinoa. I bought a huge amount of quinoa at costco a while back and it’s still sitting there, so I need to think of some ways to use that up. I think I just overdosed on quinoa last year and I can’t bring myself to eat it anymore! And Eggs are my go-to protein as well! I actually prefer them to meat most of the time.

Meet Gina

Hi, I'm Gina. I like food. A lot. That's what you'll find here with the occasional smattering of fitness & sarcasm. Learn More →

Never Miss A Recipe

subscribe for email updates

Enter your email address...

Copyright Statement

Running to the Kitchen images and original content are copyright protected. Please do not publish these copyrighted materials without prior permission. Licensing inquiries for commercial use, publication and general distribution can be sent to ginamatsoukas@gmail.com. Please read the privacy policy before using this site.